Orange Beach

Between Pensacola and Orange Beach, Perdido Key is known for its coastal lifestyle and stunning natural beauty. 16 miles long and only a few hundred yards wide, the average temperature is 75 degrees, sea turtles lay their eggs in grassy dunes, and properties near the water dim their lights to avoid interference with the hatchlings’ journey towards The Gulf of Mexico. As a beach town, residents should be weary of storms, hurricanes and floods. “It’s less populated than some of the nearby beaches. A big part of that is because it’s not incredibly developed,” says Levi Fortner, Realtor with The Fortner Group. “There are high rises and things like that, don’t get me wrong, and it does get busy in the summers, but it doesn’t have putt-putt golf, go-karts, waterslides, theme parks and things like that. It’s a lot more laid back.” Housing is largely composed of condominium communities and apartment complexes. Single-family structures tend to be modest beach cottages or more elaborate coastal contemporary styles. “Perdido Key is actually a bargain compared to other beach towns,” says Fortner. “If you’re looking to buy a home – whether it's personal or for a vacation or investment property – you can find a gulf-front condo starting in the high 300s and the low 400s. That is getting harder and harder to find.” On the higher end, luxury properties can reach into the multi-millions. The Escambia County Public Schools system serves the community. Students can attend Hellen Caro Elementary School, which receives a B-plus from Niche, before moving to Jim C. Bailey Middle School, which Niche gives a C-plus. Then, students can finish their public education at Escambia High School, which also receives a C-plus from Niche. Escambia High School is known for its marching band, which has competed at the T.R. Miller competition, receiving superior and excellent ratings, and numerous other competitions throughout the state. Halftime is sure to be lively, with past performances including selections from Beethoven and music from the video game Halo. Perdido Key State Park’s rolling dunes of white sand beaches span nearly 250 acres. Established in 1980, it’s home to hundreds of species of animals, 12 of which are federally protected as threatened or endangered. Boardwalks from the parking lot offer access to the shoreline without damaging the surrounding ecosystem. Crossing the sands, visitors might see pelicans flying overhead, dolphins crashing through the waves and ghost crabs or the Perdido Key Beach mouse scurrying along the sand. Water activities like swimming, fishing and boating are all available at the park, as are picnic pavilions and beach showers. The Lost Key Golf Club is a public championship course with a state-of-the-art clubhouse. The first course in Florida to be designated an Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary, it also has a full-service golf shop, restaurant and bar, and some extraordinary views of the Gulf. This southern town may be laid-back but takes food seriously – especially seafood. The Jellyfish has been serving Perdido Key for nearly 20 years and is regarded as one of the best places to eat on the island. It started as a small sushi and martini bar but has become an eclectic eatery featuring sushi, steaks, seafood, and an oyster bar. Head to Sunset Grille at Holiday Harbor Marina to view the water while dining. Accessible by car or boat, the restaurant offers a playground for the kids, is pet friendly, and makes a killer grouper Reuben. To eat at home, grab groceries from Publix, about 2 miles north of the neighborhood on Perdido Key Drive. The Flora-Bama, a world-famous beach bar on the Florida-Alabama state line, is right in the neighborhood. This honky tonk has several beachfront bars and five live music stages, where famous country singers play throughout the year. For those who like to party, this is the place to be, hosting an onslaught of celebrations throughout the year, from New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July festivities to bikini contests and rodeos. The Annual Interstate Mullet Toss draws people from all over the country, throwing dead mullets over the state line to see who gets the farthest. Perdido Key is a small community; walking and biking are common modes of transportation. The island is connected to the mainland by Florida State Route 292 and about 17 miles from Pensacola, where locals go for larger shopping trips.